Is it normal for a healthy cat to constantly roll in soft powdery dirt? I can't help but laugh, he looks like he loves it and is having the time of his life as he lays on his back and rubs back and forth in the dirt (like a dog). The only problem is, he comes inside and shakes. I thought cats like to be clean?
By Cyinda
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Check cat for fleas. Might not have any though, because that's the purpose of the rolling in the dust. Let him roll.
My cat thoroughly enjoys rolling on a warm sidewalk in the sun. Doesn't matter how dirty or dusty it is. I think the rolling just feels good on their backs, or maybe it's a way of scratching.
I don't know why cats or dogs do it but it's completely normal, Cyinda, and my guess is it simply feels good because they show so much joy in it :-) And, yep, cats like being clean but what is dirty to us is not neccessarily dirty to them ;-)
Yes, it's for fleas! Cats, dogs, horses and birds evolved to bathe in dust because it dries fleas and other insects visiting. Another triumph for evolution, after it goofed by developing fleas in the first place.
My cats never had fleas, and they like to roll in dead leaves or dust or whatever. Who knows why they do it, but they seem to like it, and then it gives them something to do, to wash it off.
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